This op-ed on the proposed workers’ comp rate hike published below was drafted by Sachs Media. The draft given to FAF President Barbara Petersen was entirely based on a response Petersen sent August 23 to the Office of Insurance Regulation regarding the process by which the proposed hike was determined. After editing the draft given to her, Petersen sent the op-ed out under her name.
Here is the entirety of FAF President Barbara Petersen’s response to OIR:
From: Barbara Petersen
Date: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 3:00 PM
Subject: Response to the NCCI workers comp rate increase proposal
We are writing to express our concerns regarding the process used by the National Conference on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) in determining the proposed rate hike for workers compensation insurance for the state of Florida.
Of particular concern is the lack of oversight and transparency in that process by NCCI. Section 627.091, F.S., governs proposed workers compensation rate hikes; according to the statutory scheme, records and meetings relating to determining and proposing rate hikes are subject to Florida’s open government laws. Specifically, s. 627.091(3) stipulates that all filings and any supporting information is subject to disclosure under ch. 119, Florida’s public records law. Section 627.091(6), F.S., requires that committee meetings “of a recognized rating organization with responsibility for workers’ compensation and employer’s liability insurance rates in this state” at which proposed rate hikes are discussed must be held in compliance with s. 286.011, Florida’s sunshine law.
It is my understanding that NCCI, in proposing the current rate hike, did not comply with the requirements of s. 627.091. NCCI has unlawfully denied at least one public record request for “supporting information” relating to its filing and claims that s. 627.091(6) does not apply because NCCI does not have a “committee” which meets to determine proposed changes to workers compensation rates. This claim shows a complete lack of understanding of the breadth and scope of Florida’s sunshine law, and may well constitute a violation of s. 286.011.
The purpose of s. 627.091 is to provide the public with an opportunity for oversight and accountability, the cornerstones of Florida’s open government laws. Florida’s courts have repeatedly held that our right of access to the records and meetings of our government, as well as the records and meetings of those acting on behalf of government, is to be broadly construed. By denying its legal responsibility to act in the Sunshine in proposing a significant rate hike for workers compensation, NCCI has acted contrary to the Legislature’s intent. We ask the OIR to deny the proposed rate increase and require NCCI to start the process anew – this time, in full compliance with Florida’s open government laws.
September 20, 2016 – First Amendment Foundation
by Barbara Petersen
Florida’s extraordinary tradition of open government is founded on the simple but essential concept that the people have a right to know how and why the government makes decisions on their behalf. After all, it’s our government.
So when a government action stems from a process shrouded in secrecy, we have a right not just to ask questions, but to demand that the process be changed. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) is currently considering a proposal by a secretive organization that would hike workers’ compensation rates by almost 20 percent, yet no one really knows exactly how they arrived at that number. This process must be changed.
The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is a private, state-sanctioned organization responsible for determining how much Florida businesses will pay for workers’ comp insurance. State law requires businesses to carry workers’ comp, and NCCI recommends rates for approval by the states’ insurance commissioner.
Of particular concern is the lack of oversight and transparency in the process used by NCCI in formulating its proposal. Florida law governing proposed workers’ compensation rate hikes stipulates that records and meetings relating to determining and proposing rate hikes are subject to Florida’s open government laws. This includes a provision applying the Sunshine Law to committee meetings “of a recognized rating organization with responsibility for workers’ compensation and employer’s liability insurance rates in this state,” when proposed rate hikes are being discussed.
Unfortunately – but perhaps not surprisingly – when it developed its current rate hike proposal, NCCI did not comply with these requirements. NCCI has unlawfully denied at least one public record request for “supporting information” relating to its recommendation, and claims the law does not apply because NCCI does not have a “committee” that meets to determine proposed rate changes. This assertion shows a complete lack of understanding of the breadth and scope of Florida’s Sunshine Law, and NCCI’s actions may constitute a violation of law.
The purpose of the disclosure requirement is to provide the public with an opportunity for oversight and accountability, the cornerstones of our state’s open government laws. Florida’s courts have repeatedly held that our right of access to the records and meetings of our government, as well as the records and meetings of those acting on behalf of government, is to be broadly construed.
By denying its legal responsibility to act in the Sunshine when proposing a significant rate hike for workers’ compensation, NCCI has acted contrary to the intent of the Legislature. More troubling, it has acted contrary to the express wishes of the people of Florida, who have embraced open government time and time again.
The First Amendment Foundation asks the Office of Insurance Regulation to deny the proposed rate increase and require NCCI to start the process anew – this time, in full compliance with Florida’s open government laws. It’s the only way the people of Florida can know their interests are being properly protected.
Barbara Petersen is president of the First Amendment Foundation, a non-profit organization that works as an advocate for the public’s right to oversee its government through application of Florida’s open government laws.